Having a happier, healthier, easier life can seem difficult
and elusive. But I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be.

Think about when you redecorate a room-- just a new coat of paint, a little
clutter-busting, and some fresh accessories can make you smile when you walk in.

Just like in the room re-do, a life re-do doesn’t have to involve moving cross
country or starting all over in a career. Instead, start with just
clearing out a few items or roles or commitments that make you unhappy.
Then consciously add in a few more nurturing relationships, adventures, or goals
that make you smile.

Experiment with what you have. Creating a better life for yourself is not
necessarily changing what you do -- it’s sometimes just changing HOW you do what
you do. “How” is always more important than “what”. Ask yourself:
“Is there joy and a sense of ease in what I am doing?” If there isn’t,
then life will be viewed as difficult, a struggle. Constantly remind yourself to
be open to trying different ways of doing the same thing, and see if it works
better for you.

Find an Inspiration Piece. A room can be very dull without an inspiration piece
that ties it all together. So can life. Look for the theme,
inspiration, and mission of your life. It might be “create a happy healthy
home for those I love”. Or it might be “create safety in financial
security”. Whatever your highest goal, it serves as an inspiration piece,
and all other parts of your life either fit, or don’t. Look around, it
will be as easy to see as a lime green pillow in a traditional décor.

Organize: You may resist this word because it sounds so “Martha Stewart”. But
it’s not about being betty-homemaker. It IS about creating an environment
that serves you, supports you, and contributes to the lifestyle that you want.
Take it slow, as a goal you work consistently towards, not something you
frustrate yourself with on a Saturday morning. Controlling clutter is
definitely not a silver bullet, but it is one of the best tools you could ever
have for creating a better life for yourself and those you love.

Divide and Conquer. Also known as ‘compartmentalizing’, this is a tool that can
work wonders in your life. Compartmentalizing works best when you create
visual, physical, or even mental boundaries in your life. Don’t spend your time
at work worrying about what you need to do at home, and your time at home
worrying about what you need to do at work. Instead, divide your time and
energy into categories, and focus your attention where you want it at that
particular time.

Kathy Gates is a professional life coach and freelance writer who appears
frequently on radio. Her articles can be found in several books,
magazines, and websites as well as her own website
www.reallifecoach.com. Visit
Real Life Coach for more information, ideas, and tools you can use to create a
happier, healthier, easier life.